Radiant orchard heater



NOV. 2, 1937. C, AMES 2,097,544

RADIANT ORCHARD HEATER Filed Feb. l0, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 n xH. O .S 4 2. H x C. G m 2 N.v\\ NQ. n* U I'HWWINIIIIHH l lin am @HHH s n. a o l l. .n nH|||||||||||l||| nvm. M om I: 2.2

, Nov. 2, 1937. c. H. AMES RADIANT ORCHARD HEATER Filed Feb. l0, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. C. H, AMES Patented Nov. 2, -1937 UNITED STATES e '2.0mm mm om mm' om n. Ames, wnmia, onu. I i Application Febr-naine. im. No. izsgece n calm. ici. 12e-sas) This invention relates to orchard heaters.

The general object oi' the invention is to provide an improved, smokeless apparatus which may be operated withvarious types of fuelsfor the purpose 4oi! heating orchards of citrus and other trees.

A more specic object of myinvention is to provide an improved radiant heater including an elongated, metal member having novel means thereon for causing radiation of heat.

Another object of the invention is to provide an orchard heater including an elongated body and wherein novel means are provided f or conl trolling passage of the products of combustion ll through the body.

An additional object of the invention` is to provide a novel radiating member for use in an orchard heater. l

Another object of the invention is to provide a zo novel burner assembly for use invan orchard heater. Y

A further object of my invention` is to provide a novel damper control for use with my invention.

Other objects and the advantages of my in-v vention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an orchard heater embodying the features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 Vwith the burner in elevation;

Fig. 3 is an elevation showing'one of the dampers;

Fig. 4 is an elevation showing one of the bafes; f

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; e

Fig. 6 is a front view of my heater;

Fig. 'l is a fragmentary section taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 1:

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan partly in section showing the burner;

Fig. 9 is a front view showing a modification of my invention;

Fig. 10 is a section taken on line IO-III -o! Fig. 9; and I v Fig. 11 is a. fragmentary section taken on line ll-II of Fig. 10.

Referring to thev drawings by reference characters I have shown my invention as embodied in an orchard heater which is indicatedgenerally at Il. As shown the orchard heater is of general L shape and includes a horizontal portion Il and a vertical portion I2 with. the horizontal an outwardly projecting portion andk a base portion 2| with the base portion'welded to the body. These fins I! are of metal and are preferably spaced along the sides and top and bottom of the portions Il and i2 and they serveto conduct heat from the body as will be readily understood.

Mounted within thevportion Il along the lower -wall i4 I show a curved baille 22 vwhich extends across the body and has 'a base portion 23 secured within the body in line with lthe base portion 2| of' one of the exterior ilns I9. The baule 22 is provided with apertures 24 as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

Anotherbaiile 25 is arranged within the portion Il as shown in Fig. 2 and includes a base portion 28 opposite the base portion 2i of another of the external fins.

A Venturi member 21 includes an inner' tapering member 28 having a base 29 welded to the interior of the portion Hand an exterior meniber 30 having a base 3 I also welded to the por@ tion Il. A passageway 32v is provided between the Venturi members. through the portion vII .is increased and if desired an aperture 33 normally closed by a pivoted closure M may be opened under certain circumstances to add fresh air and thus increase the combustion within the body portion Il.

At the juncture of the portions il and y l2 I provide a pivotedvdamper I5 which comprises a base of metal bent to provide parallel portions andv ay curved end portion 36 which receives a pin 31 which is hingedto brackets 38 to allow the member 35 to pivot. Between the portions of the member I provide a valve 39 which includes a projecting portion by means vof which the valve may be moved in and out to the dotted n, line position (shown in Fig. 2) or by means of which the damper may be swung about its pivot.

In the rear of the venturi 21 I show a plurality of pivoted banies 42,l and each of which is portionsomewhatlonger than the vertical por- 'Ihus the circulation mounted. on a pintle II so swing inwardly. The bale II an outwardly directed end II I2 and II .e provided with inwardly ends II. The pintles II are arranged on bracketsl1whicharedisposedoppoaitethebases2l of nn members II. It will be observed that wherever possible the bases within the body are coextensive with the bases without the body so that good conductivity ls secured.

'.lhebaiIesILII,andIIareconnectedbya` rod II which is pivotally mounted on these baffles and which passes through a slot II in the balen. TherodIIisseeuredtothehaille II near the outer end thereof and is secured to the baille I2 near the middle thereof by a pin I2' which has a loose iit in a bracket II" while itlssecuredtothebaleIInear thehingedline thereof and as a result when the rod II is moved by means of a handle member II the baille II moves more rapidly than does the other bailles so that the baiiling eii'ect in a direction away from the inlet to the heater increases with the distance from the inlet.

The operating member II may be provided with a closure II so that the slot`II through which the operating member extends will be closed.

Ihe portion I2 of the heater is provided with a pivotal closure II by means of which access to the interior of the heater may be had. The porwhilecthe 'baiiles tion I2 is also provided with a plurality of hinged bailles I4 mounted on pivots II and downwardly directed. 'I'hese haes are heldin adjusted position by arms II which have teeth I1 thereon which engage in wall slots II in the portion I2.

It will be noted that the bames in the horizontal portion II are directed forwardly in the direction of movement of the products of com- 4I bustion through the heater while the bailles in the portion I2 are directed towards .the path of movement. Thus as the heated gas is cooled there is more baihing effect so that the passage of gases becomes slower and thus the full heating effect is secured.

The upper end of the portion I2 is closed by a closure member II which includes less II which are engaged by thumb nuts II to hold the closure II in adjusted position. At the entrance end I2 of my heater I provide an outwardly flaring member II and within the heater I provide an inwardly flaring member II. This member Il includes a table II on which a starting pot II for volatile fuel is placed.

55' As shown the heater includes a bracket I1 on through the members II and II into the horiwhich a burner II is arranged. This burner includes a preheating coil II which passes about a combustion member 1I and enters a burner 1I which includes a valve 12 and a discharge nozzle 1I. A starting pot 1I forvolatile fuel is mounted on the burner.

In operation volatile fuel is placed in either or both of the starting pot II or 1I and is ignited. The valve 12 is then operated and the fuel passing from nozzle 1I is ignited. 'Ihls fuel passes through the combustion member 1I and zontal portion of the heater.

For fuel I may employ various types of oil, gas or other combustible uid. The results of the products of combustion pass into the horizontal portion II of the heater heating this portion and also heating the portion I2 so that radiation without smoke results. The disposi- 'II tion of baffles within and fins without the heater cause the column of fluid passing through the heater to transfer the heat from the moving column of fluid to the body and dns whence it passes into the air thus heating the 'air about the orchard heater.

By proper control of the bailies, the valve II, and dampers and by controlling the valve v12 the desired heating effectcan he secured irrespective of the conditions of cold in the orchard. On relatively warm nights less fuel may be employed while on cold nights the maximum of fuel may be employed. In either condition my device will operate with the maximum of eiiiciency.

In Pigs. 9, 10, and 1l I have shown a modification o! my invention wherein a heater indicated generally at II includes a cylindrical horizontal portion II and a cylindrical vertical portion I2 Joined by an angularly arranged portion II. At its entrance the body includes a tapering end member II and a bracket II on which I show a burner II which may be similar to the burner previously described.

Without the cylindrical body portion III arrange iin members I1, II, II, and II. Each of these iin members includes bases II which are in the nature of cylindrical collars fitting about the portions II and I2. 'Ihe fin member I1 in clines towards the entrance; the member II in the nature of a plane disk; the member II inclines towards the exit end while the members II are curved.

The portion I2 is provided at its upper end with a closure I2 which is held in place by thumb screws in the same manner as the closure II previously described Within the portion II I arrange a venturi II which is similar to the venturi 21 previously described.

Mounted within the portions II and I2 I show single dampers II mounted on pivoted rods Il which are disposed in advance of certain of the interior bames to be presently described. I also arrange within the heater pairs of opposed dampers II mounted on pivots I1. These dampers II as well as the dampers II may be operated by turning suitable members II disposed on the ends of the pivots II and I1.

The interior of the modified heater is provided with suitable baille members II, III, IIII II2, III, and III which are each provided with bases III which are coextensive with the bases Il previously described.

The operation of the modification of my invention is similar to that of the main embodiment previously described and a further description of the operation is believed to be unnecessary.

Prom the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided a novel orchard heater which can be economically manufactured and which is highly emcient in use.-

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. In an orchard heater, an elongated L-shaped body comprising a wall, fixed baiiles secured about the exterior of said body, each of said baiiies -having an outwardly extending iin portion and having a base portion welded to the body, a plurality of balles within said body, said bailes within the body including i'in portions directed towards the center of the body and base portions secured to the interior of the body, a damper at the juncture of the two portions of the L, a Venturi member in said body, said Venturi member comprising a pair of tubular members inwardly directed and tapering with one member disposed within the other member, certain of said inner bailes on one wall being curved to direct heated products of-,combustion towards the oppomte wall. Y

2. In an orchardheater, an elongated L-shaped body comprising four walls, a plurality of fixed baiiies secured on all sides about the exterior of said body, each of said baiiies having an outwardly .extending iin portion and having a base portion .weldedto the body, a pluralityv of bailes within said body, said 'blames within the body incllldlns n portions directed towards the center of the body and base portions secured tothe interior of the body, said base portions on the interior of the body being coextensive with the base portions on the exterior of the body, a pivoted damper at the juncture of the two portions of the L, means to operate said damper and valve from without the body, said baiiies being disposed to directl heated products of combustion towardsthe-wall.

3. In an orchardheater, an elongated metal l.- shaped body comprising four walls and having an entrance and an exit, a plurality of ilns secured about the exterior of said body, a plurality of bailies within the body, a damper at the juncture of the two portions of the I., a plurality of said inner baiiies being pivotally mounted, means to differentially move said pivoted baiiies, said moving means being connected to the baiiies to cause a maximum movement of the bailles which are farthest from the entrance to the body, certain of said inner bailies on one wall being curved to direct heated products of combustion towards the opposite wall, a sliding hood on the upper endof Said body, an inwardly :daring collar within the heater at the entrance end thereof. a platform in said inwardly aring collar, a starting pot d isposed on said platform, a burner mounted on said body, said burner including a preheating coil and a burner proper.

4. In an orchard heater, an elongated metal L- shaped body comprising four walls and having an entrance and an exit, a plurality of fixed haines secured on all sides about the exterior of said body, each of said baiiles having an outwardly extending iin portion and having a base portion welded to the body, a plurality of baiiies within said body, said bailies within the body including iin portions directed towards .the center of the body and base portions secured to the interior of the body, said base portions on the interior of the body being coextensive with the base portions on the exterior of the body, a pivoted damper at the juncture of the two portions of the L, a sliding valve member mounted on said pivoted damper, means to operate said damper and valve from without the body, a iillet member at the outer portion of the juncture, a plurality of said inner bailies being pivotally mounted, means to differentially move said pivoted baiiles, said moving means being connected to the baiiles to cause a maximum movement of theA bailies which are farthest from the entrance to the body.

5. In an orchard heater, an elongated L-shaped l body comprising four walls, a plurality of xed bailies secured on all sides about the exterior of said body, each of said bailies having an outwardly extending fin portion and having a base portion welded to the body, a plurality of bailles within said body, said bailies within the body including n portions directed towards the 'center of the body and base portions secured to the interior of the body, said base portions on the interior of the body being coextensive with the base portions on the exterior of the body, a pivoted damper at the juncture of the two portions of the L, means to operate said damper and valve from without the i 3 body.l a iillet member at the outerv portion of the juncture, a Venturi member in said body, said Venturi member comprising a pair of tubular members inwardly directed' and tapering with one member disposed within the other member, certain of said inner bailies on one wall being curved to direct heated productsof combustion towards the opposite wall, and a .burner mountedon said body, said burner including a preheating coil `and a burner proper.

6. Inman orchard heater, an elongated metal, L- shaped body comprising four walls and having an entrance and-an exit, a plurality of nxed bam'es Y said baiiies within the body including fin portions directed towards the center of the bodyl and portions secured to the interior of the. body, a pivoted damper at thek juncture of the two portions of the L, means to operate said damper, a.

plurality of said inner baiiles being pivotally mounted,` means -to diiierentially move said pivoted bailles, said moving means being connected to the bailles to cause a maximum movement of the bames which are farthest from the entrance to the body, certain of said inner baiiles on one wall being curved to direct heated products of combustion towards the opposite wall, a. sliding hood onthe upper end of said body, an outwardly aring collar at the entrance to said body, an inwardly daring collar within the heater at the entrance end thereof, a platform insaid inwardly aring collar and a starting pot disposed on said platform. A .i

7. In an orchard heater, an elongated, metal, L-shaped body comprising fcur walls and having an entrance and an exit, a plurality of fixed flns secured on all sides about the exterior of said body, each of said ns having an outwardly extending portion anda base portion welded to the body, a plurality of baiiies within said body, said bailles .withinthe body including iin portions directed towards the center of the body and base portions secured tothe interior of the body, said base portions onthe interior of the body being coextensive with the base portions on v bailes being pivotally mounted, means to diiferentially move said pivoted bailies, said moving means being connected to the bailies to cause a. maximum movement of the baiiies which are farthest from the entrance to the body, a Venturi member in said body and spaced from the entrance thereto, said Venturi member comprising e. pair of tubular members inwardly directed and tapering with one member disposed within the other member, certain. of said inner baiiles on one wall being curved to direct heated products of combustion towards the opposite wall, a sliding hood on the upper end of said body, an inwardly flaring collar within the heater at the entrance end thereof, a platform in said inwardly flaring collar, a starting pot disposed on said platform, a burner mounted on said body, said burner including a preheating coil and a burner proper.

. 8. In an orchard heater, an elongated L- shaped body comprising a cylindrical wall made of heat conducting metal, a plurality of cylindrical bames secured about the exterior of said body, each oi said bailes having an outwardly extending iin portion and having a base portion welded to the body. a plurality of bames within said body, said baiiies within the body including iin portions directed towards the center of the body and base portions secured to thevinterior of the body, said base portions on the interior of the body being coextensive with the base portions on the exterior of the body, dampers pivoted within the body, each oi said dampers being disposed in advance of one of said interior bailes, means to operate said dampers from without the body, a Venturi member'in said body, said Venturi member comprising a pair of tubular members inwardly directed and tapering with one member disposed within the other member, certain of said inner bailies on one wall being curved to direct heated product of combustion towards the opposite wall. 1

9. In an orchard heater, an elongated L- shaped body comprising a cylindrical wall made of heat conducting metal, a plurality of cylindrical bailies secured about the exterior of said body, each of said bailies having an outwardly extending iin portion and having a base portion welded to the body, a plurality oi baiiles within said body. said bailles within the body including iin portions directed towards the center oi.' the body and base portions secured to the interior of the body, said base portions on the interior of the body beingv coextensive with the base portions on the exterior of the body, a pair o! pivoted dampers at the juncture oi' the two portions of the L, a plurality oi dampers pivoted within the body. each of said last mentioned dampers being disposed in advance of one of said interior bames, means to operate said dampers iromwithout the body, a Venturi member in said body, said Venturi member comprising a pair of tubular members inwardly directed and tapering with one member disposed within the other member, certain oi.' said inner bailies on one wall being curved` to direct heated product o! combustion towards the opposite wall,

a support at the entrance to said body, and a starting pot disposed on said platform.

A10. In an orchard heater, an elongated L- shaped body comprising a cylindrical wall made accusa of heat conducting metal. a plurality of cylindricai bales secured about theexterior of said body, each of said balles having an outwardly extendingiinportionandhavingabaseportion welded to the body. a plurality 0f bales within' said body, said bales within the body includdirected towards the center of the body and base portions secured to the interior oi the body. said base portions on the interior oi the body being coextensive with the base portions on the exterior oi the body, a pair oi pivoted dampers at the juncture o! the two portions o! the L, a plurality of dampers pivoted within the body, each o! 'said last mentioned dampers being disposed in advance of one ot said interior bailes, means to operate said dampers from. without the body, a beveiled member at the outer portion of the juncture, a Venturi member in said body, said Venturi member comprising a pair ot tubular members inwardly directed and tapering with one member disposed within the other member, certain of said inner bailies on one wall being curved to direct heated product o! combustion towards the opposite wall, a sliding hood on the upper end of said body, means to hold said hood in adjusted position, a flaring collar at the entrance to said body, a platform in said daring collar, a starting pot disposed on said platform, a burner mounted on said body, said burner including a preheating coil and a burner proper.

11. In an orchard heater, an elongated metal L-shaped body having an entrance and an exit, a plurality o! nns secured about the exterior o! said body, a plurality oi bames pivotally mounted on the body. means to diderentially move said pivoted bailes, said moving means being connected to the baiiles to cause a maximum movement oi the bailes which are farthest from the entrance-to the body, certain of said inner bames being disposed to direct heated products of combustion towards the opposite wall, an inwardly flaring collar within the heater at the entrance end thereof. a platform in said inwardly flaring collar, a starting ypot disposed on said platform, a burner mounted on said body, said burner including a preheating coil and a burner proper.

CHARLES H. AMES. 

